One of the most exciting things about being a part of the BRIDG team is seeing the growing interest in what we are doing and the progress we are making. Even in the midst of summer vacations, we have welcomed nearly 700 visitors to the facility over the past two months. Equally exciting is the diversity of those visitors – including representatives from numerous large and small companies considering a deeper relationship with BRIDG and those interested in building a permanent site in NeoCity. They include political leaders and economic development teams from across the state who understand that having an accessible microelectronics fab anywhere within a few hours’ commute is an additional significant reason that a company might decide to locate in (or relocate to) the central Florida region. The diverse breadth of visitors also includes industry vendors and key suppliers who recognize the impact that BRIDG and NeoCity are already having on their future as contracts are awarded for a wide variety of supplies and specialized services.

Having been a longstanding proponent of STEM outreach efforts, I’m personally thrilled over the number of students already impacted by BRIDG. During the past few months, we have hosted numerous students ranging from middle school to college level students on visits and organized programs – and even launched our “BRIDG Opportunities for Students” pilot program for undergraduate and graduate-level university/college students. Hearing these students say they were going to change study interests (and even college plans) to be better prepared for opportunities resulting from what is happening at BRIDG and NeoCity simply strengthens our passion to charge on and realize the multigenerational mission that we humbly have the honor to be a part of!

Follow us on social media (@FollowBRIDG) and join us as we invent the future here in the heart of Central Florida.

BRIDG is excited to announce the formation of our new business and technical advisory boards. Composed of leaders in business, technology, government, and academia, these boards function to advise and make recommendations to the BRIDG management team and Board of Directors on the markets and technologies where BRIDG can maximize value to current and potential partners.

Photo Credit: Seamus Payne, courtesy of SKANSKA

Many next-generation innovations are transformative and vital to our future security and lifestyle. Through partnerships, these innovations and others will evolve from ideas to viable commercial products. BRIDG Advisory Board members will help provide valuable input on cutting edge next-generation technology, define the needs of the U.S. manufacturing community, and assess the viability of future markets. With the expertise and guidance provided by our advisory boards, BRIDG continues building the foundation that brings those good ideas to market, especially as it relates to advanced sensors and imagers enabling the acceleration of the Internet of Things (IoT).

“I want to personally thank the amazing group of technical and business experts who have graciously agreed to be part of our new advisory boards,” stated Chester Kennedy, BRIDG CEO. “These members are passionate about helping to advance technology and commerce in diverse key industries and in restoring U.S. manufacturing and economic competitiveness. They will be instrumental in steering the future of BRIDG.”

Over the next several months, we will spotlight board members, highlighting their accomplishments and their passion for serving as an advisory board member. We welcome our new advisory board members and appreciate their commitment to BRIDG in creating the innovations of the future.

NEOCITY: Master Plan

At last month’s Osceola County Board of Commissioners meeting, Stephen Coulston, Principal with Perkins + Will, presented the completed NeoCity Master Plan to the commission. The visionary concept shows the outcome of long-term project planning.

With input from an extraordinary number of stakeholders, Mr. Coulston, an architect and urban designer, along with his team captured the essence of the game-changing plan for Osceola County that extends opportunities from an agriculture and bedroom-based community to now include a world-class destination for state-of-the-art advanced technology development and integration.

As stated by Mr. Coulston, NeoCity is a “place in the making” with an economic strategy that will draw jobs and employees over time, “catalyzing a whole new economy and fueling local jobs and future opportunities for residents of Osceola County.”

High-tech regions are not a new concept, but the plan for Osceola County is unique. Through deliberate and thoughtful planning, the master plan for NeoCity is designed with the flexibility to comfortably welcome companies “we can’t even conceive of” to locate corporate offices on the 500-acre site. It’s exciting to consider that “to be created” innovations developed through partnerships at BRIDG will also be integrated into NeoCity.

In addition to office and industry-based density and security adaptability, matrix of use concepts and activity nodes are built-in to allow for a vibrant neighborhood concept. These include retail, restaurants, residential space, event centers, a 5-K waterfront walk/run trail, a central plaza, and parks/green spaces. Future changes in personal vehicle utilization are accommodated by flexible parking concepts. In addition, transportation routes and connectivity gateways include roadways, pedestrian ways, and bike trails with easy access to SunRail terminals.

The impact of NeoCity globally and what it means for the citizens regionally is astounding. The plans in place today will dramatically transform possibilities and the way we live our lives. For the master plan and presentation, go to http://www.osceola.org/neocity/ and click on Resources.

PERSONNEL SPOTLIGHT

Welcome Dr. Kausik Mukhopadhyay

BRIDG is pleased to announce that Dr. Kausik Mukhopadhyay has joined the team. As a joint appointee in partnership with the UCF College of Engineering, Dr. Mukhopadhyay further strengthens BRIDG's growing business expansion efforts. He will be responsible for identifying and capturing federal and industry funds in areas that align with BRIDG's capabilities and support UCF College of Engineering's research areas of interest.

Dr. Mukhopadhyay brings a wealth of academic and proven industry experience to Florida. He has been instrumental in developing unique solutions to complex challenges in materials science, nanotechnology, chemistry, biomaterials, medical sciences, energy and engineering. He has won and managed more than 12 federal grants (Phase I and Phase II) from the DOD, NASA, and DOE among others. In addition, Dr. Mukhopadhyay has authored 10 peer-reviewed publications and is an inventor of 11 US and international patents related to coating technologies (surface-wettability, corrosion, solid-resistant and anti-fingerprint coating), catalysis, biomaterials, hemostatic bandages, and anti-fungal burn remedies. With a Ph.D. in Chemistry from National Chemical Laboratory in India, his research accomplishments include Ph.D. fellowships, and national and international awards (including the prestigious Young Scientist award from International Congress on Catalysis; Spain, 2000). More recently, Dr. Mukhopadhyay served as the Vice President of HygraTek LLC (Ann Arbor, MI) overseeing R&D, technology transition, contracts, patents and IP among other daily oversight responsibilities. He has also spent time as a research scientist at Materials Modification in VA and Eoncoat in North Carolina.

It is our pleasure to welcome Dr. Mukhopadhyay and we look forward to many successful projects together.

EVENTS

BOS Program End-of-Summer Review

Team work was cited as one of the attributes of the BOS students experience at BRIDG. (Left-to-Right) Yamil Calderon, James Nance, Alex Hiebing and Riley McBride.

August 4th brought to a close the successful pilot of the BRIDG Opportunities for Students (BOS) Program. On July 26th, the program’s first set of participating students, Yamil Calderon, James Nance, Alex Hiebing and Riley McBride, all from Florida Polytechnic University, briefed their BOS mentors and staff on their BOS activities and outcomes, what they learned, and its impact on their education and preparation for the job market. Discussions that followed identified lessons learned for enhancing the continuation of the BOS program.

BRIDG hosted the Manufacturers Association of Central Florida (MACF) networking event on July 27. Serving the Central Florida region, MACF provides training, jobs, careers, and pathways for developing a skilled and talented workforce for manufacturing partners (www.macf.biz). Sponsored by CliftonLarsonAllen, the event featured a BRIDG facility plant tour and a special visit from TESLA, showcasing two autonomous Model X vehicles – products of advanced technology manufacturing.

Attendance was double what was expected at the fun and informative event. Congratulations to the lucky winners of “A Night with a Tesla” – enjoy the acceleration of things to come!

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Business of Technology Event – August 11

Chester Kennedy, CEO of BRIDG, will be one of the panelists at the Orlando Business Journal 2017 Business of Technology event. During this networking luncheon, learn about one of Central Florida’s top emerging industries from the experts. The event is being held at the Hilton Orlando on Destination Parkway. For more information or to register for this event, visit OBJEVENTS.com.

The St. Cloud Chamber Quarterly Luncheon – August 17

Dan Holladay, Executive Director of Operations & Technology Programs at BRIDG is presenting a community update about BRIDG and NeoCity at the St. Cloud Chamber Quarterly Luncheon on August 17. The event is being held at the Harmony Golf Preserve. For more information or to register for this event, please visit www.stcloudflchamber.com.

IMAPS Chapter Meeting at BRIDG – August 24

BRIDG and FloridaMakes will be co-hosting the International Microelectronics, Assembly and Packaging Society (IMAPS) - Florida Chapter Advanced Technical Workshop and Tabletops entitled Smart Sensors, Research, Manufacturing and IoT Applications. The day-long event will be held at the BRIDG facility and will feature notable speakers from BRIDG/ISIMM industry partners such as Harris and Jabil, Manufacturing Institutes NextFlex and PowerAmerica, and others. Student posters from UCF, USF, and BOS program/Photon-X will compete for $1000 in prize money. Come and tour the BRIDG facility and enjoy this important informative event. For more information and to register, please visit http://imaps.org/florida/.